On April 26, 1994, China Airlines Flight 140, a routine passenger service from Taipei, Taiwan, to Nagoya, Japan, met with a tragic end just moments before its scheduled landing. This flight, operated by an Airbus A300B4-622R, was typically a busy air bridge connecting the bustling Chiang Kai-shek International Airport (now known as Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport) with Nagoya Airport, a vital gateway to Japan’s Chubu region. What began as a standard journey, however, culminated in one of the most devastating accidents in aviation history, particularly for China Airlines and on Japanese soil.

The Fateful Approach to Nagoya

As Flight 140 began its final approach to Nagoya Airport, a series of critical events unfolded rapidly. Just seconds before the anticipated touchdown, the Takeoff/Go-Around (TO/GA) setting was inadvertently activated. The TO/GA mode is a powerful flight control feature primarily designed to provide maximum engine thrust for two scenarios: either for takeoff or for an aborted landing, known as a 'go-around,' where pilots decide to climb and circle for another attempt. Its activation during the precise moment of landing approach is highly unusual and immediately instructs the aircraft to apply full thrust and pitch up for a climb.

This unexpected surge of power initiated a dangerous conflict. While the flight crew, likely startled by the sudden change in the aircraft’s behavior, instinctively attempted to counter the climb by pushing the aircraft’s nose down to continue the landing, the active autopilot system was simultaneously pitching the aircraft’s nose up. Crucially, the autopilot, which was responding to the TO/GA command to gain altitude, remained engaged and was not overridden or disconnected by the pilots. This created a perilous "tug-of-war" situation, with the aircraft receiving conflicting control inputs – one from the human pilots aiming to descend, and another from the automated system striving to climb.

Tragic Outcome and Aftermath

The prolonged battle for control, combined with the increasing angle of attack (the angle between the aircraft’s wing and the oncoming air) caused by the autopilot's persistent nose-up command, pushed the Airbus A300B4-622R beyond its aerodynamic limits. The aircraft ultimately entered an aerodynamic stall, losing the necessary lift to sustain flight. In a heartbreaking turn of events, the aircraft, only seconds away from the safety of the runway, plummeted to the ground. The crash claimed the lives of 264 of the 271 people on board, leaving only a handful of survivors in one of aviation's most somber moments.

Historical Context and Impact

The China Airlines Flight 140 disaster stands as a grim reminder of the complexities of modern aviation and human-machine interface. To this day, it remains the deadliest accident in the operational history of China Airlines, a prominent carrier in Asia. Furthermore, it holds the somber distinction of being the second-deadliest aviation accident ever to occur on Japanese soil, surpassed only by the catastrophic Japan Airlines Flight 123 crash in 1985. Globally, it ranks as the third-deadliest accident or incident involving an Airbus A300 aircraft. The two incidents preceding it are Iran Air Flight 655, which was tragically shot down by a missile in 1988, and the later American Airlines Flight 587, which suffered a catastrophic structural failure shortly after takeoff in 2001. Each of these events, including Flight 140, has contributed significantly to ongoing discussions and advancements in aircraft design, pilot training, and automation management within the aviation industry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What caused China Airlines Flight 140 to crash?

The primary cause of the crash was the inadvertent activation of the Takeoff/Go-Around (TO/GA) mode during the final approach to landing. This led to a critical conflict between the pilots attempting to pitch the aircraft down for landing and the autopilot, which remained engaged and was pitching the aircraft up in response to the TO/GA command. This conflicting control ultimately caused the aircraft to stall and crash.

How many people died in the China Airlines Flight 140 crash?

Out of the 271 people on board, 264 tragically lost their lives. Only seven individuals survived the accident.

What type of aircraft was involved in the accident?

The aircraft involved was an Airbus A300B4-622R, a twin-engine, wide-body jet.

Where did China Airlines Flight 140 originate and where was it going?

The flight originated from Chiang Kai-shek International Airport (now Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport) near Taipei, Taiwan, and was bound for Nagoya Airport in Nagoya, Japan.

What was the significance of the "TO/GA" setting in this accident?

The TO/GA (Takeoff/Go-Around) setting is designed to provide maximum thrust for taking off or aborting a landing. Its inadvertent activation during the final seconds of the landing approach caused the aircraft to unexpectedly accelerate and pitch up, directly leading to the conflict in control with the pilots.

Did this accident lead to any changes in aviation safety?

Yes, the investigation into Flight 140 highlighted critical issues related to flight automation and pilot training. It underscored the importance of clear procedures for disengaging autopilots, improved training for pilots on managing unexpected automation inputs, and better understanding of the human-machine interface in complex aircraft systems. These findings contributed to enhanced safety protocols and pilot training worldwide.

How does this accident rank among others in terms of fatalities?

It remains the deadliest accident in China Airlines' history and the second-deadliest aviation accident on Japanese soil. It is also the third-deadliest aviation accident involving an Airbus A300 globally.